No changes in store for Shaw's Sale to have no immediate local effect

By Ellen W. Todd

Sanford News Writer

fosters.com

By Ellen W. Todd

Sanford News Writer

Posted Jan. 17, 2013 at 3:15 AM

By Ellen W. Todd

Sanford News Writer

Posted Jan. 17, 2013 at 3:15 AM

SANFORD — Shaw’s Supermarkets and four other retail grocery store chains will be sold by their parent company, according to an agreement announced last week — but there are no immediate plans for Sanford’s store.

On Jan. 10, SUPERVALU Inc. announced it has reached an agreement to sell its Albertsons, Acme, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s and Star Market stores to AB Acquisition LLC, an investor group and the parent company of Albertson’s LLC. AB Acquisition LLC will acquire the grocery stores and related in-store pharmacies for $100 million cash and will assume approximately $3.2 billion in debt. The sale includes 877 stores currently owned by SUPERVALU Inc.

The sale is expected to be completed by the end of March, according to Christine Wilcox, public affairs director for Albertson’s LLC.

The transaction will reunite the Albertson’s Inc. grocery stores — owned by SUPERVALU Inc. — with the Albertson’s stores owned by Albertson’s LLC.

Albertsons LLC, which is based in Boise, Idaho, was formed in 2006 after Cerberus Capital Management purchased 655 Albertson’s, Inc., grocery stores. SUPERVALU Inc. acquired the majority of the Albertson’s Inc. stores at that time.

Wilcox said in a phone interview this week that Albertson’s LLC has no immediate plans for Shaw’s or Star Market stores. She said both chains have strong brand recognition and Albertson’s has no plans to change the names of the stores.

Shaw’s has 22 stores in Maine and 34 in New Hampshire. Sanford’s store, located on Main Street at the Center for Shopping in South Sanford, employs around 100 people.